A Florida elementary school teacher is facing a felony charge after deputies say she repeatedly stole prescription pain pills from a coworker’s backpack at school.
The coworker became suspicious when hydrocodone pills started disappearing, so she set up a hidden camera in her office. Investigators say the video showed 51-year-old teacher Deborah Gibbens going into the backpack and taking the medication. Deputies explained in a Facebook post that Gibbens initially denied taking the pills but later admitted she had done it several times over the past month. She claimed she thought the pills were over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or ibuprofen. Deputies also found Xanax in her pocket, which she had a valid prescription for.
The coworker chose not to pursue theft charges, saying she believed Gibbens needed help. However, authorities charged her with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.